SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


Form 8-K


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 26, 2010


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania        0-11204        25-1424278

(State or other     (commission    (I.R.S. Employer

jurisdiction        File Number)   Identification No.)

of Incorporation)


Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown, Pa.  15901

(address or principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 814-533-5300


N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to

simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under

any of the following provisions:


( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities

Act (17 CFR 230.425)


( ) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange

Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))













Form 8-K


Item 2.02 Results of operation and financial condition.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") announced fourth quarter and full year results through December 31, 2009.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit #99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated January 26, 2010, announcing the fourth quarter and full year results through December 31, 2009.



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.


By /s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Executive Vice President

& CFO


Date: January 26, 2010




Exhibit 99.1


AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS EARNINGS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR OF 2009     


JOHNSTOWN, PA –AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported a fourth quarter 2009 net loss of $1.7 million or $0.09 per diluted share.  This represents a decrease of $3.3 million from the fourth quarter 2008 net income of $1.6 million or $0.07 per diluted share.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $4.9 million or $0.28 per diluted share.  This also represents a decrease of $10.4 million when compared to net income of $5.5 million or $0.25 per diluted share for the full year of 2008.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for both the quarters and years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:


     

 

Fourth Quarter 2009

Fourth Quarter 2008

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2009

Year Ended

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

($1,679,000)

$1,615,000

 

($4,895,000)

$5,509,000

Diluted earnings per share

          ($ 0.09)

           $ 0.07

 

                   ($ 0.28)

$0.25



 Glenn Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the 2009 financial results, “AmeriServ Financial reported a loss for both the fourth quarter and full year of 2009 due to an increased provision for loan losses.  We performed a comprehensive review of our commercial loan portfolio during the second half of 2009 which included the gathering of the most current financial data we could obtain from our commercial borrowers to determine what impact the recessionary economy had on their financial performance.  This review indicated the need for another strong contribution to our allowance for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2009; although the amount of the quarterly provision did decline from the third quarter level.  As a result of this loan loss reserve strengthening in 2009, our allowance for loan losses represented 2.72% of total loans outstanding and provided 115% coverage of non-performing loans at December 31, 2009.  This higher loan loss provision unfortunately more than offset some strong fundamentals, such as, a $3.3 million increase in net interest income that resulted from solid deposit and loan growth experienced within our bank during 2009.”         

  

The Company’s net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2009 increased modestly by $12,000 from the prior year’s fourth quarter, and for the full year of 2009 increased more significantly by $3.3 million or 11.4% when compared to 2008.  The Company’s net interest margin of 3.72% for the full year of 2009 is also 8 basis points better than the 3.64% net interest margin achieved during the full year of 2008.  The increased net interest income and margin resulted from a combination of solid loan and deposit growth and the pricing benefits achieved from a steeper yield curve in 2009.  Specifically, total loans averaged $725 million in 2009, an increase of $83 million or 13.0% over 2008.  This growth caused overall loan interest revenue to increase in 2009 despite the lower interest rate environment.  The loan growth was driven by increased commercial loan production as the majority of increased residential mortgage loan production has been sold into the secondary market.  The Company’s strong liquidity position has been supported by total deposits that averaged $763 million in 2009, an increase of $68 million or 9.8% over 2008.  The Company believes that uncertainties in the financial markets and the economy have contributed to growth in money market accounts, certificates of deposit and demand deposits as consumers have looked for safety in well capitalized community banks like AmeriServ Financial.  Additionally, the Company also benefited from a favorable $3.7 million decline in interest expense caused by the more rapid downward repricing of both deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings due to the market decline in short-term interest rates.      


The Company appropriately strengthened its allowance for loan losses in the fourth quarter and full year of 2009 in response to deterioration in asset quality.  This deterioration in asset quality in 2009 was evidenced by higher levels of nonperforming loans and classified loans than in 2008 and reflects the results of a comprehensive review of loans in the commercial loan and commercial real estate portfolio in the second half of 2009.  When determining the provision for loan losses, the Company considers a number of factors some of which include periodic credit reviews, non-performing, delinquency and charge-off trends, concentrations of credit, loan volume trends and broader local and national economic trends.  Overall, the Company recorded a $3.8 million provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to a $625,000 provision in the fourth quarter of 2008, or an increase of $3.1 million.  For the full year 2009, the Company recorded a $15.2 million provision for loan losses compared to a $2.9 million provision for 2008, or an increase of $12.2 million.  Actual credit losses realized through charge-off, however, are running well below the provision level but are higher than the prior year.  For the full year 2009, net charge-offs have amounted to $4.4 million or 0.60% of total loans compared to net charge-offs of $1.3 million or 0.20% of total loans for the full year 2008.  Of the 2009 net charge-offs, $3.3 million was realized in the fourth quarter and reflected the resolution of one of the Company’s larger non-performing loans.  This was a factor contributing to a $5.4 million decline in non-performing assets from $23.7 million at September 30, 2009 to $18.3 million or 2.54% of total loans at December 31, 2009.  Non-performing assets in 2009, however, are well above the year end 2008 level of $4.6 million or 0.64% of total loans.  In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 115% coverage of non-performing loans and was 2.72% of total loans at December 31, 2009, compared to 264% of non-performing loans and 1.26% of total loans at December 31, 2008.  


The Company’s non-interest income in the fourth quarter of 2009 decreased by $54,000 from the prior year’s fourth quarter and for the full year 2009 decreased by $2.5 million when compared to all of 2008.  The largest item responsible for the quarterly decline was a $206,000 decrease in trust and investment advisory fees as a result of reductions in the market value of assets managed due to lower real estate and equity values in 2009.  The largest item causing the full year decline was related to bank owned life insurance.  Bank owned life insurance revenue dropped by $1.5 million in 2009 as there were more payments for death claims in 2008.  Trust and investment advisory fees also declined by $1.2 million for the full year 2009 while deposit service charges dropped by $300,000 due to fewer overdraft fees.  These negative items were partially offset by increased gains on asset sales.  Specifically, gains realized on residential mortgage sales into the secondary market in 2009 increased by $174,000 for the full year due to increased mortgage purchase and refinance activity in the Company’s primary market.  The Company also took advantage of market opportunities and generated $164,000 of gains on the sale of investment securities in 2009 compared to a net $95,000 loss on a portfolio repositioning strategy executed in 2008.     


Total non-interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2009 increased by $1.7 million from the prior year’s fourth quarter and for the full year 2009 increased by $3.5 million or 9.9% when compared to the full year 2008.  Higher FDIC deposit insurance expense due to an increased basic rate and special assessment is a key factor responsible for both the quarterly ($595,000) and full year ($1.6 million) increase in non-interest expense in 2009.  Total salaries and benefits expense in 2009 increased by $520,000 in the fourth quarter and $1.3 million for the full year due to greater salary costs as a result of normal merit increases and higher sales related incentive compensation along with greater pension expense.  The fourth quarter 2009 salaries expense was also impacted by $130,000 of severance related costs.  Professional fees increased by $208,000 for the fourth quarter and $450,000 for the full year due to increased legal fees and recruitment costs in 2009.  Fourth quarter 2009 professional fees also included $120,000 of consulting costs related to a comprehensive review of the Company’s trust subsidiary which focused on strategic issues along with day-to-day operating and compliance activities.  Other expenses in both periods also increased due to credit related costs.  Specifically, other real estate owned expense increased by $715,000 due to the write-down and operating costs associated with an increased number of other real-estate owned properties while the Company also had to fund its reserve for unfunded commitments by an additional $118,000 in 2009.   These negative items were partially offset by a reduction in core deposit amortization expense of $216,000 for the fourth quarter and $757,000 for the full year as a branch core deposit intangible was fully amortized in the first quarter of 2009.      


ASRV had total assets of $970 million and shareholders’ equity of $107 million or a book value of $4.09 per common share at December 31, 2009.  The Company continued to maintain strong capital ratios that exceed the regulatory defined well capitalized status with a risk based capital ratio of 15.33%, an asset leverage ratio of 11.06% and a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 7.71% at December 31, 2009.    


This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may differ materially.



Nasdaq: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

January 26, 2009

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)

2009

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$533

$(939)

$(2,810)

$(1,679)

$(4,895)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

274

(1,202)

(3,073)

(1,941)

(5,942)

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.22%

(0.39)%

(1.15)%

(0.70)%

(0.51)%

Return on average equity

1.90

(3.29)

(9.83)

(6.01)

(4.33)

Net interest margin

3.72

3.66

3.57

3.75

3.72

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.03

0.19

0.35

1.82

0.60

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

1.02

1.81

3.42

2.05

2.09

Efficiency ratio

78.22

82.56

84.00

92.82

84.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.01

$(0.06)

$(0.15)

$(0.09)

$(0.28)

Average number of common shares outstanding

21,137

21,151

21,178

21,219

21,172

Diluted

0.01

(0.06)

(0.15)

(0.09)

(0.28)

Average number of common shares outstanding

21,137

21,152

21,182

21,219

21,174

 

 

 

 

 

 



2008

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,229

$1,516

$1,149

$1,615

$5,509

Net income available to common shareholders

1,229

1,516

1,149

1,580

5,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.55%

0.71%

0.52%

0.69%

0.62%

Return on average equity

5.43

6.64

4.93

6.68

5.93

Net interest margin

3.32

3.58

3.59

3.84

3.64

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.06

0.46

0.04

0.23

0.20

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

0.10

0.89

0.48

0.36

0.45

Efficiency ratio

82.87

73.20

79.72

77.46

78.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.06

$0.07

$0.05

$0.07

$0.25

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,060

21,847

21,855

21,571

21,833

Diluted

0.06

0.07

0.05

0.07

0.25

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,062

21,848

21,856

21,571

21,975

 

 

 

 

 

 



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(In thousands, except per share, statistical, and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)


2009

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$975,062

$978,899

$959,344

$970,026

Short-term investment in money market funds

10,817

7,516

6,565

3,766

Investment securities

138,853

136,119

138,715

142,883

Loans

726,961

739,649

722,540

722,904

Allowance for loan losses

10,661

13,606

19,255

19,685

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

13,498

13,498

12,950

12,950

Deposits

746,813

783,807

779,185

785,993

FHLB borrowings

90,346

57,702

44,451

51,579

Shareholders’ equity

114,254

112,880

110,706

107,254

Non-performing assets

5,099

14,670

23,689

18,337

Asset leverage ratio

11.82%

11.61%

11.41%

11.06%

Tangible common equity ratio

8.35

8.17

8.16

7.71

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.44

$4.37

$4.25

$4.09

Market value

1.67

1.85

1.80

1.67

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,432,375

$1,376,272

$1,340,119

$1,358,570

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

355

352

350

345

Branch locations

18

18

18

18

Common shares outstanding

21,144,700

21,156,801

21,215,115

21,221,909


2008

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$902,349

$877,230

$911,306

$966,929

Short-term investment in money market funds

5,682

6,952

7,147

15,578

Investment securities

146,285

141,867

141,630

142,675

Loans

632,934

623,798

663,996

707,108

Allowance for loan losses

7,309

7,963

8,677

8,910

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

14,254

14,038

13,821

13,605

Deposits

682,459

722,913

688,998

694,956

FHLB borrowings

106,579

40,214

106,897

133,778

Shareholders’ equity

91,558

92,248

93,671

113,252

Non-performing assets

3,050

3,717

4,390

4,572

Asset leverage ratio

9.78%

10.47%

10.37%

12.15%

Tangible common equity ratio

8.70

9.06

8.90

8.31

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.19

$4.22

$4.29

$4.39

Market value

2.79

2.98

2.51

1.99

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,838,029

$1,813,231

$1,678,398

$1,554,351

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

350

353

352

353

Branch locations

19

18

18

18

Common shares outstanding

21,842,691

21,850,773

21,859,409

21,128,831


NOTES:

(A) Preferred stock received through the Capital Purchase Program is excluded from the book value per common share calculation.

        (B)  Not recognized on the balance sheet.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)

2009

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$10,349

$10,544

$10,247

$10,310

$41,450

Total investment portfolio

1,586

1,511

1,451

1,457

6,005

Total Interest Income

11,935

12,055

11,698

11,767

47,455

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

3,255

3,405

3,316

3,134

13,110

All borrowings

539

479

457

436

1,911

Total Interest Expense

3,794

3,884

3,773

3,570

15,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,141

8,171

7,925

8,197

32,434

Provision for loan losses

1,800

3,300

6,300

3,750

15,150

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

    FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,341


4,871


1,625


4,447


17,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,559

1,438

1,377

1,274

5,648

Net realized gains on investment securities

101

63

-

-

164

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

118

163

213

157

651

Service charges on deposit accounts

673

710

712

674

2,769

Investment advisory fees

137

152

176

183

648

Bank owned life insurance

250

254

258

446

1,208

Other income

723

711

718

688

2,840

Total Non-interest Income

3,561

3,491

3,454

3,422

13,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

5,092

4,983

5,114

5,337

20,526

Net occupancy expense

722

641

602

667

2,632

Equipment expense

415

442

398

437

1,692

Professional fees

920

873

1,050

1,189

4,032

FDIC deposit insurance expense

32

691

311

636

1,670

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

108

-

-

-

108

Other expenses

1,873

2,006

2,091

2,527

8,497

Total Non-interest Expense

9,162

9,636

9,566

10,793

39,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME (LOSS)

740

(1,274)

(4,487)

(2,924)

(7,945)

Income tax expense (benefit)

207

(335)

(1,677)

(1,245)

(3,050)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

533

(939)

(2,810)

(1,679)

(4,895)

Preferred stock dividends

259

263

263

262

1,047

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO

    COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$274


$(1,202)


$(3,073)


$(1,941)


$(5,942)



2008

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$10,462

$9,862

$10,015

$10,680

$41,019

Total investment portfolio

1,820

1,588

1,717

1,675

6,800

Total Interest Income

12,282

11,450

11,732

12,355

47,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

4,499

3,861

3,774

3,546

15,680

All borrowings

1,048

623

727

624

3,022

Total Interest Expense

5,547

4,484

4,501

4,170

18,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,735

6,966

7,231

8,185

29,117

Provision for loan losses

150

1,375

775

625

2,925

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

    FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,585


5,591


6,456


7,560


26,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,790

1,737

1,691

1,513

6,731

Net realized gains (losses) on investment securities

-

(137)

20

22

(95)

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

89

121

138

129

477

Service charges on deposit accounts

734

807

771

757

3,069

Investment advisory fees

226

218

185

150

779

Bank owned life insurance

249

1,923

260

263

2,695

Other income

750

674

702

642

2,768

Total Non-interest Income

3,838

5,343

3,767

3,476

16,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

4,830

4,812

4,758

4,817

19,217

Net occupancy expense

661

653

586

661

2,561

Equipment expense

431

414

402

430

1,677

Professional fees

769

910

922

981

3,582

FHLB prepayment penalty

-

91

-

-

91

FDIC deposit insurance expense

22

20

30

41

113

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

216

216

217

216

865

Other expenses

1,850

1,909

1,869

1,903

7,531

Total Non-interest Expense

8,779

9,025

8,784

9,049

35,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,644

1,909

1,439

1,987

6,979

Income tax expense

415

393

290

372

1,470

NET INCOME

1,229

1,516

1,149

1,615

5,509

Preferred stock dividends

-

-

-

35

35

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON

    SHAREHOLDERS


$1,229


$1,516


$1,149


$1,580


$5,474



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2009 data unaudited)


2009

2008

 

 

TWELVE

 

TWELVE

 

4QTR

MONTHS

4QTR

MONTHS

Interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$723,992

$725,241

$683,739

$641,766

Deposits with banks

1,772

1,782

493

583

Short-term investment in money market funds

6,745

9,022

8,405

7,136

Federal funds

1,491

490

-

114

Total investment securities

146,164

146,150

151,521

153,636

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest earning assets

880,164

882,685

844,158

803,235

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

14,363

14,498

15,581

16,786

Premises and equipment

9,230

9,213

9,751

9,333

Other assets

73,927

72,574

68,325

72,249

Allowance for loan losses

(19,626)

(13,382)

(8,602)

(7,837)

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$958,058

$965,588

$929,213

$893,766

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing demand

$63,828

$62,494

$63,225

$64,683

Savings

71,789

72,350

69,856

70,255

Money market

184,096

169,823

113,703

107,843

Other time

349,133

343,841

325,920

341,185

Total interest bearing deposits

668,846

648,508

572,704

583,966

Borrowings:

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under

    agreements to repurchase, and other short-term

    borrowings



11,329



21,028



113,093



71,636

Advanced from Federal Home Loan Bank

29,892

43,934

13,101

11,725

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest

    debentures


13,085


13,085


13,085


13,085

Total interest bearing liabilities

723,152

726,555

711,983

680,412

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

114,797

114,473

111,306

110,601

Other liabilities

9,298

11,428

9,751

9,816

Shareholders’ equity

110,811

113,132

96,173

92,937

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$958,058

$965,588

$929,213

$893,766